Imagine Barcelona’s Las Ramblas as the Madison Avenue of Europe — only more fun. The street has a center divider with traffic running on either side. The area outside of the divider is lined with shops and restaurants of every type, while the inner part of the divider has tiny market stands - covered by colorful umbrellas - that sell everything from flowers, to live canaries and sweet dough churros. Beautiful trees line the walkway and provide shade as you stroll around, and there are benches to sit on if you get tired. At night, the whole place lights up and exemplifies a European street scene at it’s best.
Pedestrian traffic rules when it comes to Las Ramblas, and you’d be a fool to attempt to drive a rental car into this area. It would be like trying to park at Times Square in New York City — not a smart move. The subway runs down the entire street, and the blocks are truly made for easy walking. Plus, if you’re driving, you won’t be able to see a darn thing.
Stop and have a cafe con leche at one of the many cafes where you can sit out front and people-watch. If you get hungry, there’s a dizzying array of restaurants to pop into. Entertainers such as mimes or musicians dot the street and will play for your pocket change. Artists will be selling their beautiful watercolor paintings, pottery and carvings. Be sure to haggle for anything you buy on the street, as it is customary to get a better price–and the Spaniards love it.
Las Ramblas can get quite busy during high travel times such as the summer or on weekends, so it is best to try to visit while most Barcelonians are at work. If you must go there when it is crowded, make sure to hang onto your wallet or handbag, as this area is no stranger to gypsy pickpockets. Also, there are plenty of shell gamers looking to take your money as well, so steer clear of the little tables with the street hustlers looking to engage you in a card game.
There is a lively and large food market to visit, and you will find the best jamon serrano (ham), cheese, bread and other culinary pleasures. It is a place where chefs from all over the local area come to buy their ingredients for the restaurants, so it offers a tremendous variety.
Las Ramblas ends at the port where an enormous statue of Christopher Columbus sits. You can actually climb the monument and get an amazing view of Barcelona and the ocean. As you travel Spain, you will notice lots of reference to Columbus. Though born in Italy, he was sent on his missions to discover the new world paid for by Spanish monarchy. He is also buried in Sevilla.
There’s something happening 24/7 on Las Ramblas, and it is pretty hard to get bored at such a vibrant and colorful place.